High demand for the new 2004 Verona midsize sedan
prompts increase in national 2004 advertising budget to well over $100 million –

BREA, Calif.  Ã¢â‚¬â€œWith demand for the all-new 2004 Suzuki Verona midsize sedan exceeding expectations, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) is increasing its marketing and media support for its 2004 product line to well over $100 million and has appointed new advertising and promotion managers to coordinate the largest advertising budget in its history.  Assuming new positions at American Suzuki’s corporate headquarters in Brea, Calif. is Ben Hilverda, Advertising and Promotions Manager, and Albert Ferrer, Consumer Promotions Manager.  

American Suzuki’s increased national advertising budget is a crucial part of the company’s plan to triple its U.S. vehicle sales by 2007.  In addition to launching a new advertising campaign positioning Suzuki as “America’s Best Value,â€? the automaker is working to strengthen the Suzuki dealer body and retail brand image, fortify its vehicle lineup with nine new vehicles over the next five years, and realign its customer service.

With more than 20 years of automotive experience, Hilverda brings extensive industry marketing, brand-building and advertising expertise to American Suzuki.  His most recent automotive manufacturing experience was at Volkswagen of America, where he held various positions in marketing and advertising, the latest being Director of Strategic Planning.

While at Volkswagen, Hilverda was instrumental in “Project Renaissanceâ€? which included the launch of the Golf and Jetta models to achieve the company’s goals for increased product breadth and market share in the U.S.  Hilverda was also intimately involved in the decision to bring back the Volkswagen Beetle, which exponentially increased product and brand awareness.

As American Suzuki’s Automotive Advertising and Promotions Manager, Hilverda will use his Volkswagen experience to translate Suzuki’s plans to triple vehicle sales by 2007 into reality – most immediately with the introduction of the Verona midsize and Forenza premium compact sedans this fall.


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Yawn!

Oh. I'm sorry.  Was ASMC saying something?



































a-hem...Katana?

I think it's cool, the more in your face SUZUKI the better it is for all of us, even if it isn't all 4x4 advertising.  Plus I think the Verona is a pretty cool car, even though it's really made by Daewoo and is a little under powered at 155hp.

Ben Hilverda, YOU CAN START GETTING INTO THAT $100 MILLION BUDGET RIGHT HERE IF YOU WANT   JUST SEND  ONE OVER HERE TO THE EAST COAST, WITH ALL THE ADVERTISING YOU WANT ON IT, & I'LL DRIVE IT ALL OVER THE UPSTATE NY AREA ESPECIALLY LAKE GEORGE IN THE SUMMER FOR ALL TO SEE ...HMMM JUST A THOUGHT & CHEAPER THAN A TV COMMERCIAL DURING PRIME TIME TV         MATTY D.